Staff Reporter :
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has revealed concerning levels of corruption in service sectors, estimating that bribes worth Tk1.46 lakh crore were paid between 2009 and April 2024.
These findings are part of the “Corruption in Service Sectors: National Household Survey 2023,” which was presented at a press conference held on Tuesday at the TIB conference hall in Dhaka.
The survey, which assessed the experiences of 15,515 households, found that 70.9 per cent of respondents encountered corruption when seeking services from both public and private sectors. Passport services ranked highest, with 86 per cent of households reporting irregularities, and 74.8 per cent admitting to paying bribes.
Other sectors with significant corruption included the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), where 85.2 per cent of households faced issues, law enforcement services (74.5 per cent), and judicial services (62.3 per cent). The judicial services also recorded the highest average bribe per household at Tk30,972, while the overall average bribe across all sectors was Tk5,680.
Barishal division emerged as the most corruption-prone region, with 82 per cent of households reporting corruption and 61.9 per cent paying bribes.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB, highlighted the systemic nature of corruption, stating, “This survey provides a snapshot of the prevalence of corruption in Bangladesh, particularly in the service sectors.
It is the 10th national household survey on corruption in service delivery, covering both public and some private institutions, with a focus on bribery and corruption in accessing services.”
According to the survey, the total amount of bribes paid nationally in 2023 was Tk10,902.3 crore, with the land sector accounting for the largest share of Tk2,513 crore.
The findings underscore the urgent need for reforms in public service delivery and stricter measures to combat corruption. TIB’s report calls for greater transparency, accountability, and vigilance in service sectors to reduce these alarming figures and restore public trust.
